<cite data-path="21.02.04">This chapter</cite> establishes rules for:Recreational uses of the:Loch Raven Reservoir, including its:Tributaries; and Surrounding property. Prettyboy Reservoir, including its:Tributaries; and Surrounding property. Liberty Reservoir, including its:Tributaries; and Surrounding property. Protection of:The water supply; Watershed property; and The public. These regulations govern City water quality management areas under control of the City and administered by the Department of Public Works, including:Reservoirs; and Adjacent watersheds.

In <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite>, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined.“Baltimore County” means the County Council and municipal government of Baltimore County, Maryland. Baltimore City reservoir.“Baltimore City reservoir” means a reservoir owned and operated by Baltimore City. “Baltimore City reservoir” includes:Prettyboy Reservoir; Liberty Reservoir; and Loch Raven Reservoir. “Baltimore Environmental Police" means a sworn police officer appointed by the Director to protect persons and natural resources within a water quality management area. “City” means the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. “Deer trail” means a trail that has been worn down by the passage of deer and other wildlife. “Department” means the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. “Director” means the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. “Double bottom” means an additional layer of structure below the main bottom of a watercraft. “Environmentally sensitive area” means a location within a water quality management area with ecologically vulnerable features, including a:Wetland; Stream; or Steep slope. “Firearm” has the meaning stated in § 14-101 of the City Code Health Article. “Fish refuge area” means:The area south of the Route 26 Bridge at Liberty Reservoir; The area south of the Loch Raven Drive Bridge at Loch Raven Reservoir; and An area within 1500 feet of the dam at Prettyboy Reservoir. “Flotation material” means a substance made of composite materials designed to increase buoyancy in a watercraft. “Geocaching” means to hide a small container or other item at discrete locations for the purpose of using GPS coordinates to locate the item. Hunt.“Hunt” means to pursue or attempt to pursue a bird or mammal to personal possession. “Hunt” includes the pursuit or attempted pursuit of a bird or mammal through the act of:Capturing; Catching; Killing; Gigging; Trapping; and Shooting. “Livestock” means a domesticated animal ordinarily raised in an agricultural setting including:Cattle; Sheep; Horses; and Goats. “Magnet fishing” means to remove or attempt to remove a metal object from a body of water by use of a magnet attached to the end of a rope. “DNR” means the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Motorized vehicle.“Motorized vehicle” means a mode of transportation powered by an internal engine by which a person or property may be transported on a roadway. “Motorized vehicle” includes:An electronic bicycle; A dirt bike; An all-terrain vehicle; A snowmobile; and A vehicle being towed by another motorized vehicle. Nonlethal firearm.“Nonlethal firearm” means a device that:Fires nonlethal ammunition using compressed air; and Is intended to incapacitate, but not kill, a target. “Nonlethal firearm” includes:An air rifle; and A paintball gun. “Organized group activity” means an event that is:coordinated by a verifiable person, company, or entity, as defined by these regulations; and scheduled for a particular date and time. “Paddle boat” means a watercraft that is propelled through the use of a paddle wheel. “Pedal kayak” means a watercraft with a closed deck that is propelled by foot pedals that drive a propeller or fins. “Permit holder” means a person who has obtained a permit to operate a watercraft at a water quality management area in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite> from:The Department; or Baltimore County. Person.“Person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|general">City Code General Provisions Article</cite>, <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|general|1|1|1-107">§ 1-107</cite>. “Person” includes a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity. Personal flotation device.“Personal flotation device” means a piece of equipment used to prevent drowning. “Personal flotation device” includes a:Life jacket; Life vest; Life belt; Flotation aid; Buoyant cushion; and Ring buoy. “Polluting” means:Contaminating a Baltimore City reservoir or a tributary; Storing hazardous materials in a manner that threatens the public water supply; or Altering the water in a Baltimore City reservoir or tributary in a manner that could harm:Public health; Public safety; or The welfare of local wildlife. “Reservoir watershed” means the source water area for the Baltimore Metropolitan Supply as defined by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. “Right of entry agreement” means a contract between a person and the City of Baltimore which allows access during a prescribed period of time for a defined group of people to engage in specific activities within a WQMA. “Smoke” means to:Burn or carry a lit tobacco product; Burn or carry a lit cannabis product; or Inhale vapors from or otherwise allow vapors to be emitted from an electronic smoking device. “State” means the State of Maryland. “Verifiable” means possessing documentation which is recognized as valid by a state or local government as a means of establishing the identity of a person, organization, or other entity. “Watercraft” means a vessel licensed by the State:Designed for travel across or through a body of water; and Powered by a means of propulsion in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite>. “Watercraft launch area” means a designated ramp for watercraft launch and recovery. Water Quality Management Area (WQMA).“Water quality management area” means a reservoir or adjoining land controlled or owned by the City of Baltimore “Water quality management area” includes:A leased property within a WQMA boundary; Woods within a WQMA boundary; A utility right-of-way within a WQMA boundary; Infrastructure within a WQMA; and Infrastructure required to direct water from a reservoir to a water treatment facility. “Watershed” has the meaning stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|7|§21-1|(aa)">City Code Article 7, § 21-1(aa)</cite>. “Woods road” means an unpaved road in a water quality management area built and maintained by the City.

In addition to the vessel specifications in <cite data-path="21.02.04.05">regulation .05 of this chapter</cite>, a permit holder operating a watercraft in a WQMA shall ensure that the watercraft:Is in compliance with applicable federal and State boating safety requirements; Is buoyant if submerged through use of:Permanently installed air chambers; or Flotation materials. Is constructed of:Marine plywood a minimum of ¼ inch thick; Wood plank; Metal; Fiberglass; or Plastic. Is propelled by:Rowing; Sculling; Pedaling; or A battery-powered electric motor in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04.03|B.">§B of this regulation</cite>. Is equipped with:One wearable personal flotation device for each person on board; One throwable personal flotation device for watercraft longer than 16 feet; A means of producing a sound such as a:Whistle; Bell; or Horn. Closed compartments under seats or thwarts; Double bottoms that:Are not sealed to the hull; or Are not completely filled with flotation materials. Closed storage compartments; and Permanently installed fuel tanks that contain a fire extinguisher. A permit holder operating a watercraft with a battery-powered electric motor in a WQMA shall ensure the battery powered electric motor does not exceed a maximum output of 18kW. The City may remove a watercraft from a WQMA whose occupants are found in violation of <cite data-path="21.02.04">this chapter</cite>.

A permit holder may not operate the following types of watercraft in a WQMA: A watercraft with a gasoline-powered motor; A watercraft propelled by sails; A pontoon boat; A paddle boat; A stand-up paddle board; A watercraft with an electric motor that does not conform to the manufacturer’s specification; or A watercraft that is:Inflatable; Foldable; or Collapsible.

Boats. A permit holder operating a boat in a WQMA shall ensure the boat has:A minimum length of 12 feet; A maximum length of 20 feet; A beam width of no less than 48 inches; and A depth of no less than 18 inches. Canoes. A permit holder operating a canoe in a WQMA shall ensure the canoe has:A minimum length of 12 feet; A maximum length of 20 feet; and A beam width of at least 35 inches. Kayaks.A permit holder operating a kayak in a WQMA shall ensure the kayak has:A minimum length of 12 feet; and A maximum length of 20 feet. A permit holder may operate a pedal kayak in a WQMA. Kayaks designed by the manufacturer to have insertable motors may be operated in a WQMA if:no motor is used in the kayak; or an electric motor complying with <cite data-path="21.02.04.03">Regulation .03 of this chapter</cite> is used in the kayak. Rowing Shell. A permit holder operating a rowing shell in a WQMA shall ensure the rowing shell has:A minimum length of 12 feet; and A maximum length of 20 feet.

A person shall apply for a watercraft permit to operate a vessel at:Liberty Reservoir; Prettyboy Reservoir; and Loch Raven Reservoir. The Department shall only issue a watercraft permit for use at:Liberty Reservoir; and Prettyboy Reservoir. A person may apply for a watercraft permit for Loch Raven Reservoir through Baltimore County. A person applying for a watercraft permit issued by the Department shall:Submit to the Department:A completed and signed permit application form; and An affidavit certifying that the watercraft for which the permit is sought will be used only at a WQMA; and Remit a permit application fee of $60.00, made payable to the Director of Finance via:Certified check; Bank check; or Money order. The City may reinstate a moratorium on the issuance of a permit for the use of private watercraft at a WQMA. The City may not issue a permit for watercraft:Equipped with:An internal combustion motor; or A gasoline motor. Longer than 20 feet. Permit Revocation. The City may revoke a permit if the permit holder is found in violation of a:Federal law; State law; City law; or <cite data-path="21.02.04">This chapter</cite>.

A person may operate a watercraft in a WQMA if that person:Has obtained a permit in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04.06">.06 of this chapter</cite>; and Ensures the watercraft complies with the provisions of <cite data-path="21.02.04.06">.06 of this chapter</cite>. A permit holder operating a watercraft in a WQMA:Shall ensure that:Launch and recovery of the watercraft occurs at designated ramps; The watercraft is securely locked at a designated area when not in use; and The watercraft is kept between the chain or cable and the water. May not:Allow an unaccompanied person under the age of 18 to operate or occupy the watercraft unless accompanied by the permit holder; Interfere with persons fishing; and Operate the watercraft:Between January 1 and February 28 annually, inclusive of leap years; Between sunset and sunrise; Between Liberty Road and Liberty Dam; Within 1500 feet of Prettyboy Dam; With a number of occupants greater than authorized by the watercraft manufacturer; When a body of water is frozen or partially frozen; and Within a fish refuge area.

Pets. A person may not:Bring an unleased pet into a WQMA; or Allow a pet to swim in a reservoir. Horses.A person may ride a horse on an unpaved woods road in a WQMA. A person may not ride a horse:Along a paved road, unless necessary to reach a woods road within a WQMA; Through a wetland within a WQMA; On the property of the:Pine Ridge Golf Course; or Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center. In general areas within a WQMA including:A picnic area; A parking lot; A police pistol range; A maintenance facility area; A boat dock area; An area between woods roads; An environmentally sensitive area; A wetland; The area below a high-water line in a reservoir or tributary stream; and The reservoir or tributary stream. Grazing and Free Roaming. A person may not allow the grazing or free roaming of livestock at a WQMA.

Except in a posted area, a person in possession of a Maryland Freshwater Sportfishing License may fish within a WQMA if the person complies with the provisions of <cite data-path="21.02.04.09">this regulation</cite>. In General.Fishing at a WQMA is permitted:Between the hours of sunrise and sunset; and From watercrafts between March 1 and December 31 annually. Fishing is permitted from the banks year-round. A person fishing may not drill through the ice to fish. Vessels. A person fishing at a WQMA may do so from a:Rowboat; Runabout type boat; Canoe; or Kayak. Areas.A person fishing at a WQMA may fish from designated areas on the shore of a reservoir. A person fishing at a WQMA may not fish:Between Liberty Road and Liberty Dam; Within 1500 feet of Prettyboy Dam; In an area designated as a fish refuge area; or In an area where:The banks are steep; There are rock cliffs or promontories; or There is danger of a person falling into the water with resultant risk of injury or drowning. A person may only fish from a bridge in a WQMA on a designated platform provided at the following places:The Dulaney Valley Road bridge at Loch Raven Reservoir, and The Deer Park/Nicodemus Road bridge at Liberty Reservoir. Equipment.A person fishing at a WQMA may use a:Rod; Hook; Line; and Single artificial lure. A person fishing at a WQMA may not use a:Net; Bow; Spear; or Device other than those provided for in <cite data-path="21.02.04.09|E.|(1)">§E(1) of this regulation</cite>. Prohibited Activities. A person fishing at a WQMA may not:Ice fish; Magnet fish; or Fish from a rowing shell.

Bow Hunting.Except as provided in <cite data-path="21.02.04.10|A.|(2)">A(2) of this regulation</cite>, a person in possession of a Maryland hunting license may hunt with bow and arrow at a WQMA:With the applicable material required by DNR as set forth in:The Hunting and Trapping in Maryland guide; The Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs Bow Hunting Permit; or The Loch Raven Reservoir Deer Bow Hunting Permit issued by DNR. Within designated bow hunting areas between:One half-hour before sunrise during the season specified by DNR; and One half-hour after sunset during the season specified by DNR. With the use of a temporary or portable tree stand which the permit holder shall ensure is removed daily; and If gear intended to cover or obscure the face is removed:Upon leaving a WQMA; and Within 100 yards of another person. A permit holder may bow hunt only white-tailed deer at Loch Raven Reservoir. Location Prohibitions. A permit holder may not hunt:South of Liberty Road on the Baltimore County side of Liberty WQMA; Southeast of Prettyboy Dam Road in the Prettyboy WQMA; or Within 50 feet of the high water shoreline. Sport Prohibitions. A permit holder may not:Trap; Bait for deer or other wildlife; Hunt waterfowl; Build or occupy a hunting blind; or Use a permanent tree stand.

Picnicking.Except as provided in <cite data-path="21.02.04.11|A.|(3)">§A(3) of this regulation</cite>, picnicking is permitted within a WQMA between sunrise and sunset. A person picnicking within a WQMA shall ensure personal refuse is removed from the area upon departure. A person picnicking within a WQMA may not:Picnic in:The Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center; The Pine Ridge Golf Course; A Maryland State Police pistol range; A Baltimore County Police pistol range; A watercraft launch area; An area directly adjacent to storage or maintenance of City owned equipment or vehicles; An area with steep banks; An area with rocky promontories; or An area where there is danger of a person falling into the water with resultant risk of injury or drowning. Use a heating source, including:A fire; A gasoline or alcohol stove; A propane grill or stove; and A gasoline or charcoal grill; Nonmotorized biking.A person may operate a nonmotorized bicycle in a WQMA on a designated bicycle route. A person operating a nonmotorized bicycle in a WQMA shall:Ensure the nonmotorized bicycle is equipped with a bell to be sounded upon approaching a:Curve; or Crest of a hill. Yield the trail in the presence of a:Hiker; or Horseback rider. A person may not operate a nonmotorized bicycle in a WQMA:On a deer trail; On a designated bicycle route that is wet or muddy; At an excessive speed; or Through a:Wetland; or Environmentally sensitive area. Organized group activities. A person may participate in an organized group activity within a WQMA if a fully executed Right of Entry Agreement is obtained from the Department in accordance with <cite data-path="21.02.04.12">Regulation .12 of this chapter</cite>.

A person shall obtain a Right of Entry Agreement for an organized group activity in a WQMA. A person may execute a Right of Entry Agreement for a group activity in a WQMA by emailing the Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, using the contact information found on the Department website.

A person in a WQMA may not: Camp; Erect a structure, whether permanent or temporary; Climb a tree, except as provided in <cite data-path="21.02.04.10">regulation .10 of this chapter</cite>; Rock climb or rappel; Swim in a reservoir; Wade in a reservoir; Remove:Geological material; Biological material; or An archaeological artifact. Use a metal detector; Skate or walk on frozen sections of the watershed; Engage in geocaching activities; or Bungee jump.

A person may not feed the wildlife at a WQMA.

A person may not enter: A WQMA from sunset to sunrise, except as provided in <cite data-path="21.02.04.10">regulation .10 of this chapter</cite>; An area of a WQMA posted as closed or otherwise restricted; or A building or structure closed to the public.

A person may not possess a firearm in a WQMA, unless the person is: Making lawful use of the Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center; or A sworn police officer, including a member of the Baltimore Environmental Police.

A person may not interfere with City personnel or a City contractor conducting operations in a WQMA.

A person may not light or maintain a fire in a WQMA, including: A charcoal grill; A stove; A lantern; or A cooking fire.

A person may not pollute a WQMA. A person shall remove refuse and personal effects brought into a WQMA, including, but not limited to:Bottles and cans; Signs, handbills and posters; Unapproved trail markers and signs; and Human or animal waste.

A person may not: Smoke in a WQMA, except:On a paved road; or In a parking area. Possess or consume an alcoholic beverage in a WQMA.

A person may not operate a motorized vehicle on an unpaved woods road, except:A designated patrol vehicle; A designated emergency vehicle; or A contractor working on behalf of the City of Baltimore. A person may not:Block:A woods road entrance with a vehicle; or A gate or public access with a vehicle. Park in violation of a posted sign or where otherwise prohibited.

A person may not engage in the following activities in a WQMA without the written permission of the City of Baltimore Board of Estimates after making a request to the Director: Selling goods or services; Renting goods or services; or Advertising goods or services.